Jon Wolfe to perform at Wild West Lubbock Saturday

Jon Wolfe loves performing in Lubbock, which in his eyes is the true West.

After playing at the bar Wild West in the Depot Entertainment District earlier this summer, the rising country music singer and songwriter is coming back for an encore performance Saturday night.

“Every time I am in Lubbock I feel like I am in the true West,” Wolfe said. “Going into Lubbock, I feel like there is a sort of tradition in that town. I always have a lot of fun there.”

Lubbock’s country music tradition, primarily Waylon Jennings, is the inspiration for Wolfe, who just released the fourth single “It All Happened in a Honky Tonk,” off of his latest album of the same name.

“I am a big fan of traditional country music, and there is so much of that in Lubbock” Wolfe said, even though he said the style of his music is more the vein of mainstream traditional. “Now singers have to grow their sound, which is just something traditional country singers like Hank Williams did not do. Country music is more of a production today. It has changed a lot.”

Seeing contemporary country music artist Garth Brooks in concert made Wolfe want to be a country singer.

“It was the greatest thing I had ever seen in my life,” he said. “It really resonated with me. I became hooked on country music.”

Growing up in Tulsa, Okla., and then attending college in Colorado, Wolfe said he had no idea how to really break into the business.

“I wasn’t in Nashville or Texas, so I really didn’t know how to get into it,” Wolfe said. “I just played for friends in college and at parties. Everyone told me I really needed to do this.”

After graduating, Wolfe went to work for an oil company as a commodities trader and started playing at beer joints in downtown Houston.

“It made for a proper setting to get going,” he said.

Since that time, Wolfe has released two albums: “Almost Gone” in 2004, and then “It All Happened in a Honky Tonk” released in 2010 with Midas Records in Nashville.

He has had four singles off of the latest album and is touring full time to promote it.

“I love the touring life, but it can definitely be exhausting,” he said. “I have to try and stay healthy and as fit as I can. It takes a lot to keep going and can be tough. I am always happy to return home and relax.”

The future is looking bright for Wolfe and all his touring efforts appear to be paying off.

The music video for “It All Happened in a Honky Tonk” will be aired on GAC and CMT starting next week.

“We are really excited about that,” Wolfe said, who makes his home in Austin.

Wolfe said he is also excited about the fan base he is starting to generate in Lubbock.

“Every time I play in Lubbock the crowds are great,” he said. “I have a lot of friends out there now. I always go out after the show. I usually go to this Mexican restaurant that is open until four in the morning. I always have a great time.”

Wolfe said that as far as the future goes, he is going to keep touring and connecting with fans.

“We are just looking forward to being back in Lubbock,” Wolfe said. “Hope everyone comes out and wants to hang out and have a good time that night.”

The show will start at 10 p.m. and tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

For more information on Jon Wolfe and his music, visit his web page at www.jonwolfecountry.com or go facebook.com/jonwolfecountry.